Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-12-08
PROHIBITION CONVENTION.

The Annual Meeting of the PrOh1b1.
tionists Held at the Atheneum Yes
terday-PrOmInentT Temperance Men
Present From All Parts of the state
well known Cold Water Speakers
Make Addresses.
The prohibition party held their State con- |
vention in the Atheneum yesterday. The
hall was crowded with prominent temperance |
men from all parts of the State who were |
present as delegates. The afternoon meeting |
was principally for the purpose of organizing.
There were many lady visitors present during |
the afternoon meeting.
The Rev. 81. R. Smith, secretary of the
State committee, presided over the afternoon
session. After prayer and singing the meet
ing was given over to speech making.
Attorney Whitcomb, of this city, was the
first speaker. He argued in favor and in
support of the Republican party, being a
staunch member of the party. He had at
tended the meeting of the State committee
and took occasion to say that he did not like
the methods which the prohibitionists en-
ployed. It was his opinion that the question
of prohibition should be taken out of politics.
1t should not be made a football of between
the two old parties The way to settle 1t was
to have a special election in which no other
question BlOuLO Do FOG0u IOf ne Sa1o 40
was proud because he was Republican,
proud of his party's past and his psrty's fu-
ture too. for it was going to elect the next
President.
Walter Thomas Mills, the ''Little Giant of
Ohio" ably replied to Mr.. Whitcomb. He
predicted that the prohibitionists would poll
one million votes in the election next year,
and that Mr.. Whitcomb would be in the party.
Colonel R. /. Cheves of this State, former
" of Kentucky, was the next speaker. He Is
q very eloquent and forcible elocutionist, and
ELECTED loud applause. He said: Prohibition
means death to the Republican party. The
whisky party controls If the question Is
put to the politician whether he will support
the party or prohibition he will stand By
the party every time. In this State we have
Republican legislature and here as well as
in Massachusetts, the Republicans have not
favored prohibition. In the South the best peo-
pie are Democrats and in the North the best
people are Republicans. The Democratic
legislatures of the South have done what the
Republicans in the North have refused to
do In this State the Republicans have not
redeemed their promises. The machinery
was oiled and everything was in readiness
for consummation when the saloon keeper
steps in and says that everything must stop.
There is just as much hope for the prohibi-
tionists in the Democratic party as in the Re
publican. Hence we ask the Democrats OF
the South and the Republicans of the North
to secure for us a grander, higher, nobler
platform, large enough for both parties, and
to honor their fellow men and their God.
v B. Cushing, of Maine, was the next
speaker. He said: This prohibition move
ment is a national one. A national movement
must of course be championed by national
party. The Democratic party at the last ma
tional convention opposed prohibition. The
Republican party remained silent, deciding
neither one way nor the other. The southern
Democracy arrayed themselves against the
saloons, but their northern brethren remained
silent. The Republican party, we find, have
been dependent on the liquor men in the
principal States Both parties are in the
liquor power. They say they cannot allow
anything to divide their forces. They cannot
organize and meet the issue fairly. When
adjustment comes prohibition will sweep
everything before it; and when this readjust-
ment does come the Democratic party will
live and the Republican party will be gath
cred to its fathers.
This is not dogmatism, it is not sentiment
it is the philosophy of politics.
'sThe party that stands for prohibition now
will be the great party of the future"
Mr.. Frank Smith of Bridgeton, New Jer-
sey, made few remarks and forcibly stated
that the party would not deviate the six
tenth part of hairs breadth from our plat
form, the everlasting humiliation of the
liquor traffic.
The Rev H. G. Smith of this State gave
some very interesting statistics concerning
the strength of the prohibitionists in the
cities and towns of this State. According to
his statements North Haven has the honor
of being the leading prohibition town in the
State. There is one prohibitionist vote for
every three cast New London casts one to
every nine.
The various committees met after the meet
ing and organised.
At the evening session there were many
spectators present in addition to the dele
gates. Rev. S. B. Forbes presided and Rev.
Mr.. Stanley, of South Manchester. offered
prayer.
Colonel Cheves made another address. He
eaid he was of the opinion that the late de-
feats have been the best thing for the prohi-
bition party. What would prohibition in
Michigan amount to without party behind
it9 He said: "The Republican party is
afraid to submit the question fairly to the
people. God is calling out for halt, and
God will not be trihed with. There is but
one way of settling this liquor question 30
as to be on Gods side-absolute, uncondi-
tional prohibition of the traffic. If we fight
in this line God will surely give US the vic
tory"
Chairman Smith of the State central COM
mittee read letter from General Clinton B.
Fisk, which was heartily cheered. George
Swan, of Norwich, sang and Mr.. Frank G.
Smith was introduced. He said eve are
not judged abroad by the great men of our
cities, but by the character of our citizenship.
In 1880 there were more men in the country
who could not write their names than the
number it took to elect Abraham Lincoln
twenty years before. To-day it is shown by
statistics that five out of every twelve of the
children who in ten years will be voters do
not know the English alphabet Out of these
eleven out of every twelve are the children of
drunken parents. There are two classes of
educational institutions in the country-one
leading upward and the other downward.
All over the land public officers are
corrupt, Doodle aldermen, senators
taking brides. 1t is disgraceful. What
causes all this2 asked judge of the Supreme
court of New York, anti-saloon Republican
Judge Davis. He answered: 4 can safely
say that nine out of every ten who have been
convicted in my court have been ruined by
rum Who is responsible for this. Not
the Democratic party only. Christian men
who vote with any party which will give
licenses are responsible. The time calls for
men who are willing, as their fathers did, to
do their duty and leave the result to God"
There were addresses by Colonel Gushing
and others and the convention adjourned.
Today's programme is as follows: Prayer
meeting at a. m. Regular sessions at $50
a. m. and p. m. Mass meeting at 7:30 D.
m. with Walter Thomas Mills, the s'Little
Giant" from Ohio, students from various
colleges and other speakers, and singing by
Edwin M. Van Norman, of New York.
A Grand Hebrew Fair.
The ladies of the Congregation Beth Israel